Origin
Loveland, CO
Evening in Loveland on Sunday
Local time
6:40 PM
MDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Loveland, CO to Longmont, CO
Drive Time
26m
Distance
17.3 mi
28 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 24m
★
6 AM
0h 26m
8 AM
0h 31m
10 AM
0h 28m
12 PM
0h 28m
3 PM
0h 28m
5 PM
0h 31m
8 PM
0h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Loveland, CO
RDNE Stock project
Longmont, CO
Pramish Khatri
Trip Overview
Traveling between Loveland and Longmont covers a short 17.3-mile distance in the Mountain West, making this an ideal quick jaunt rather than a multi-day journey. You can expect to complete the drive in approximately 26 minutes, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule. With a fuel cost estimate of just $3, this trip is highly budget-friendly. Because both cities are located within Colorado, the route maintains a consistent regional feel throughout. You will navigate via South Highway 287, North 107th Street, and South Lincoln Avenue to complete your transit. It is a straightforward connection that works perfectly as a simple day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
8.7 miles from Loveland, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 17.3-mile route offers a mixed driving experience, balancing utility with standard local transit. You will spend roughly 42% of your time on highways, providing a blend of faster stretches and slower navigation through local streets. Your longest uninterrupted segment occurs on South Highway 287, which spans 7.3 miles of the journey. As you progress from Loveland to Longmont, the road transitions from major thoroughfares to neighborhood-accessible streets. Expect a functional drive that requires your full attention as you transition between these different road types.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Highway 287 is the longest continuous segment at about 7.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 5 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 287 / North Cleveland Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 17.3 miles you will encounter 5 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 287 / North Cleveland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.9 miles (Longs Peak Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles (Kimbark Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 287 / North Cleveland Avenue
Turn right onto US 287 / North Cleveland Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
16.9 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
Longs Peak Avenue
Turn left onto Longs Peak Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
17 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
Kimbark Street
Turn right onto Kimbark Street
Navigation decision point
5
17.3 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
17.3 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Highway 287 | 7.3 mi | 8m |
| North 107th Street | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| South Lincoln Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| North Cleveland Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Kimbark Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Longs Peak Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East 6th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
South Highway 287
— 7.3 mi, about 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Loveland, CO and Longmont, CO.
1
Start on East 6th Street
131 ft
·
9 sec
·
East 6th Street
2
Turn right onto US 287
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Cleveland Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 287
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Lincoln Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on US 287
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
South Highway 287
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on US 287
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
North 107th Street
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on US 287
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Main Street
Use the none lane.
7
Turn left onto Longs Peak Avenue
363 ft
·
12 sec
·
Longs Peak Avenue
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto Kimbark Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Kimbark Street
9
Turn right
186 ft
·
15 sec
10
Turn right
109 ft
·
7 sec
11
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 26-minute drive, you have plenty of freedom to choose your departure time without worrying about fatigue. There are zero planned stops on this route, so be sure to handle any personal errands before you leave. With a total fuel cost of only $3, you can easily top off your tank at either end of the trip without impacting your budget. Keep a close watch on your speed as you shift from the 7.3-mile stretch on South Highway 287 onto the local roads of North 107th Street and South Lincoln Avenue. Prioritizing a steady pace will help you navigate these transitions smoothly.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 8.7 miles from Loveland, CO, or about 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 17.3 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.7 miles or 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Longmont, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Loveland, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Loveland, CO
This is one driving day of about 17.3 miles and 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Loveland, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on South Highway 287 for about 7.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.7 mi from Loveland, CO · 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 17.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.7 miles from Loveland, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Longmont, CO
The final approach into Longmont, CO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Longmont, CO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.62 one way
$5.24 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $2.78 | $5.56 |
| premium | $4.43 | $3.02 | $6.04 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.84 | $7.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.2 | 0 | $1.82 | $0.83 |
| Efficient EV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.51 | $0.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.9 | 0 | $2.42 | $1.11 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Longmont, CO
Evening in Longmont on Sunday
Local time
6:40 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
27 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
26m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Loveland, CO to Longmont, CO covers 17.3 miles and takes about 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Highway 287, North 107th Street, South Lincoln Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.7 miles from Loveland, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.62 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 17.3 miles you will encounter 5 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 287 / North Cleveland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.9 miles (Longs Peak Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles (Kimbark Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Loveland, CO to Longmont, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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